Best Lakes in America
Discover pristine lakes ideal for swimming, fishing, boating, and peaceful waterfront relaxation.
All Lakes
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4.8(18)Lake Colby
272-acre lake with fishing, small craft boating & paddling, a public swimming beach & 2 campgrounds.
4.8(140)Lake Austin
Relaxed locale known for fishing & boating, with boat rentals & a big stock of largemouth bass.
4.8(346)Great Sacandaga Lake
A popular recreation standby, this 29-mile-long reservoir offers camping, boating & fishing.
4.8(137)Sparks Lake
Kayaking & canoeing are popular activities on this scenic lake with views of many mountain peaks.
4.8(963)Lake Cumberland
Created by the Wolf Creek Dam, this lake is a popular fishing & boating destination.
4.8(106)Yale Lake
This 3,780-acre reservoir on the Lewis River features boating & other recreational activities.
4.8(113)Tims Ford Lake
Water sports, camping, fishing & hiking are the draw at this massive, picturesque lake.
4.8(110)Long Lake
This 11-mile-long glacial lake features fishing, boating, loons & other wildlife.
4.7(27)East Branch Reservoir
525-acre, tree-ringed water reservoir with miles of hiking trails on the western edge.
4.7(205)Chautauqua Lake
Large lake with shoreline parks, popular for recreational boating, fishing & dinner cruises.
4.7(33)Cooper Lake
Picnics & walking at the largest natural lake in the Catskills (swimming & fishing prohibited).
4.7(5,044)Lake Sammamish State Park
512-acre park with ample waterfront access & boat launch, plus seasonal kayak rentals & picnicking.
4.7(157)Tenkiller Ferry Lake
Long, wooded shoreline dotted with beaches & campsites, offering hiking, fishing & hunting.
4.7(30)Croton Falls Reservoir
Artificial lake, part of NYC's water supply, with boating, marinas & fishing for brown trout.
4.7(232)Lake Needwood
Scenic 75-acre boating & fishing lake in a regional park surrounded by forest & hiking trails.
4.7(71)North–South Lake
Popular recreation area with hiking trails, swimming beaches, small boat rentals & a campground.
4.7(110)Lake Wawasee
Sprawling lake with scenic bays, an island & marina, popular among boaters, anglers & swimmers.
4.7(60)Ossipee Lake
Vacation homes surround this tranquil destination, with beaches for swimming, fishing & boating.
4.7(198)Massabesic Lake
Sizable lake & public water supply in a scenic setting with walking trails, fishing & boating.
4.7(55)Cazenovia Lake
Quiet lake with several waterfront parks, popular for kayaking, canoeing, fishing & swimming.
4.7(181)Lake Minnetonka
14,000-acre lake & popular recreation area with boating, fishing & waterside restaurants.
Trip packing checklist
Gear for Lakes
Useful gear categories for this kind of water trip. These links open Amazon search results so you can compare current options before you go.
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Useful for calm-water exploring without roof-rack logistics.
Keeps food and drinks together for longer waterfront stays.
A starter combo is often enough for casual lake fishing.
Open shorelines and boats can mean hours of direct sun.
Tips for Visiting Lakes
Check for boat launch facilities and fees
Obtain required fishing licenses before arrival
Be aware of lake-specific regulations and restrictions
Monitor water quality reports before swimming